The Chatham-Kent Police Service have responded to two calls within the month of March pertaining to a company by the name of Stride Lending Group.
This company is using the address of 75 Thames Street in Chatham. However, an officer has confirmed that Stride Lending Group does not exist at this location.
Crime Stoppers have received tips from across Canada reporting that this link: http://stridelendinggroup.com/ is a scam.
The BBB (Better Business Bureau) Serving Western Ontario is issuing a warning about the influx of Advance Fee Loan Scams in the region: http://www.bbb.org/western-ontario
– Be careful where you put your information. Beware of applying for online loans through unfamiliar businesses or websites. Many of these online application sites are run by scammers or by people who sell your information to scammers.
– Don’t pay advance fees. Understand that any business operating by phone and charging insurance or other fees in advance of making a loan is operating illegally.
– Verify the address. Do not do business with anyone who cannot give you an address that you can confirm as legitimate.
– Read the contract. Read any contract carefully and make sure you understand all requirements before entering into any agreement.
– Don’t get tricked by “official-looking.” Official-looking loan documents and sophisticated looking websites are easy to copy or fake. Just because a business appears legitimate, doesn’t mean it is.
– Do your research. Find an Accredited Business using bbb.org, and check out the company’s BBB Business Review before purchasing anything from a website.
For more information:
Report scams to BBB Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker).
